Emmy Wish List: Series

It's all been leading up to this! I complete my Emmy Wish List with this year's best shows on television. These comedies and dramas are unlike anything else on TV. They utilize fantastic actors to create unique characters with their genius writing. Every element is in the right place. These shows are the reason I love television so much.

Outstanding Comedy Series


30 Rock - Anyone who says that this was a bad year for 30 Rock clearly stopped watching about halfway through the season. "Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001," "Anna Howard Shaw Day," "Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter," and "The Moms" were some of the show's greatest episodes. Despite a rush of strong comedy newcomers, the series was able to maintain the level of greatness it's established the past three years.

Better Off Ted - Never heard of it? That's too bad. But it's probably because Ted was barely noticed while it was on the air. The ridiculous workplace comedy makes me laugh more than any other show on this list and features a hilarious ensemble, including Jay Harrington, Portia De Rossi, and Jonathan Slavin (who unfortunately didn't submit himself for Emmy consideration).

Glee - To be quite honest, this season's most hyped comedy almost didn't make my list. The writing is inconsistent, the characters are flat, and the continuity is nonexistent. The freshman series had a whole slew of problems with its first season that I will most likely save for another blog post. But when Glee is good, it's great. The show's best episodes deliver with strong comedy, touching drama, and fun musical numbers. No other show on television can do the same.

Modern Family - This year's best new show may also be the best comedy of the year. Many have claimed that Modern Family redefined the traditional family sitcom and brought it to the 21st century. There isn't a single weak link in the show's large ensemble cast, and sub-par episodes were few and far between.

Parks & Recreation - Parks surprised everyone by becoming one of this year's funniest shows. It surpassed The Office this season in terms of quality and comedy. As the second season progressed, the characters began to take form, and comedic stars like Nick Offerman and Aubrey Plaza were born.

Ugly Betty - The series experienced a creative resurgence during its fourth and final season. Betty has always been a little different, but that's what makes it so great. The series ended on a high note with several strong episodes that left me in tears week after week.

Honorable Mention: Party Down & The United States of Tara

Outstanding Drama Series


Breaking Bad - As I've said several times, I haven't gotten to see season three, so Breaking Bad's inclusion on my list may be a bit premature. But the first two seasons are incredible, and apparently the show just keeps getting better. Even if season three was half the quality of season two, it would still earn a spot here.

Damages - No season can match its first, but the legal thriller is still amazing. With time jumps and plot twists like nothing else on television, Damages knows how to deliver drama. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have incredible actresses like Glenn Close and Rose Byrne headlining the series with Lily Tomlin and Martin Short as guest stars.

Friday Night Lights - Only nine episodes have aired so far on NBC, but I can already tell that season four is my favorite season since the first. The move to East Dillon High was a refreshing change that the show needed. Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, and the rest of the cast continue to deliver with the intense realism they've had for three years.

Lost - The final season didn't give all of the mythological answers viewers were looking for, but the show's final two and a half hours were emotionally satisfying. The series became less about science fiction and mysteries and more about the characters and the love they experienced with one another.

Mad Men - Just when we thought the two-time Emmy-winning series couldn't get any better, season three delivered drama on a completely different level than the years before. Jon Hamm and January Jones gave their best performances of the series, and the writing (as well as everything else) was truly excellent. It's hard to imagine anything else topping that.

Parenthood - When casting Peter Krause and Lauren Graham, it's hard to go wrong. This Spring's new show gave an interesting look into family life and found an amazing actress in the young Mae Whitman. The series has the potential to do great things in the years to come.

Honorable Mention: Southland & Big Love

Coming Soon: My predictions for the 2010 Emmy nominations!

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 9 - The Opening

Emmy Wish List: Lead Drama

These are some of the best people on TV. They are what make watching television so great. Without them we would not have extraordinary characters like Don Draper and Patty Hewes. We couldn't tell the stories of the scorned politician's wife or the vigilante serial killer. They pour their hearts into every scene and deliver every line with power. These twelve men and women are truly outstanding actors and actresses.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series


Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights - I just watched the first three seasons earlier this summer, and I am stunned that Britton has never received an Emmy nomination. She gives one of the best dramatic performances on television, and the fourth season is no exception. Apparently the end of this season is some of her best work yet, so I can't wait to watch it!

Glenn Close, Damages - There's a reason the woman already has two Emmys for her portrayal of Patty Hewes. This season Close took the character to a whole new level. Patty often screams and throws tea cups, but Close is best when she shows the emotional vulnerability that lies beneath the powerful lawyer.

Lauren Graham, Parenthood - The best moments of this new show are between Graham and her on-screen daughter, Mae Whitman. She perfected her role as the flawed mother who can't always keep it together.

January Jones, Mad Men - Saturday Night Live hosting aside, Jones is a phenomenal actress. For some reason her performance is divisive among Mad Men fans, some of whom claim she's wooden and can't act. That's something I cannot comprehend. Please watch "The Gypsy and the Hobo" and see Betty Draper break down as she exposes her husband as the liar he really is.

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - I gave up The Good Wife about halfway through the season because I didn't have time for it. That was a mistake (which I plan to amend very soon, thanks to summer reruns). From what I saw, Margulies is deserving of all the buzz. She headlines the hit drama with strength and intensity that's already earned her a Golden Globe and a SAG award.

Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big Love - You can't blame an actress for poor writing. This season of Big Love was certainly much worse than those before, but it takes an exceptionally talented actress to remain strong throughout a weak year. I probably hated Barb for most of the fourth season, but I still loved Tripplehorn.

Honorable Mention: Regina King, Southland & Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series


Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights - Coach Taylor cracks me up. Seriously. Maybe it's because I'm from Texas, but I find myself laughing at him because he reminds me so much of the coaches at my high school. And he has a little bit of my dad in him too. Chandler's portrayal of the East Texas football coach is truly flawless.

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad - Like I've said before, since I just recently got into Breaking Bad, I haven't gotten to see season three yet (which is primarily why Anna Gunn didn't make my top six in the previous category). But now I definitely understand why Cranston has won in this category the past two years. Even the man's coughs are Emmy worthy (he plays a man with terminal lung cancer).

Michael C. Hall, Dexter - So far I've only gotten to see season one. Season four is Emmy eligible this year. Clearly I'm a little behind on Dexter. Still, I included Hall on my list because his work on the first season is so brilliant, and I've heard it only gets better.

Jon Hamm, Mad Men - This year Don Draper's home life and work life fell apart, and I loved every second of it. Hamm probably did his best work this season, which is saying a lot.

Ben McKenzie, Southland - The rookie cop did a lot of growing up this season. The gritty cop show is underrated, as is McKenzie's performance.

Timothy Olyphant, Justified - Justified is another show that I couldn't find the time to keep watching, so I had to give it up after a few episodes. But it only took me those few episodes to decide that Olyphant's performance is Emmy worthy.

Honorable Mention: Peter Krause, Parenthood & Matthew Fox, Lost

Coming Soon: My picks for the best comedy and drama series of the year

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 6 - Making Love Work

Emmy Wish List: Lead Comedy

The great debate: Are lead comedy categories for the best actors in a comedy series or the funniest actors in a comedy series? Several shows out there are" dramedies" and dark comedies, which means they contain certain elements of drama that sitcoms don't have. How can you compare Mary-Louise Parker to Tina Fey? One is funnier, but does that make her more worthy of an award? So many different types of shows fall under the Comedy label for Emmy season, so I decided to give them all a little representation.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series


Toni Collette, The United States of Tara - The darker second season was not as funny as the first, but it was still great. Collette truly transforms into each of Tara's personalities and makes them all their own individual characters. She may not generate the most laughs out of the women on this list, but she gives the best performance(s).

Portia De Rossi, Better Off Ted - The only reason I decided to watch Ted was because I wanted to see more Portia De Rossi after I finished Arrested Development. I made a good decision. The soulless executive Veronica became the best part of the show and the saddest part of its cancellation.

Tina Fey, 30 Rock - I feel like I don't need to say much because Tina Fey may be the funniest woman to ever walk the face of the earth. If you don't know that by now, then you clearly haven't ever seen 3o Rock or Mean Girls. She consistently brings the funny wherever she goes.

Lea Michele, Glee - She delivers in every way possible: comedy, drama, and musical. She's a choral overachiever who takes herself way too seriously. Though she's probably not everyone's favorite character, no one can deny her talent.

Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds - Though I haven't enjoyed Nancy's stay in Mexico, I still enjoy Parker's performance. She is such a talented dramatic actress, which is why it's a shame that she's trapped in the wrong category. If she were in Drama, she would probably have the Emmy she deserves by now.

Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation - She took a character that had the potential to be really annoying and made her appear kind of adorable. Leslie Knope became the loveable, yet sometimes clueless government official that we all wish we could have in our town.

Honorable Mention: America Ferrera, Ugly Betty & Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series


Alec Baldwin, 3o Rock - The man has never had an off season of 3o Rock. I didn't absolutely love Jack's seemingly endless love triangle (just pick Elizabeth Banks already!), but Baldwin pulled it off hilariously well.

Steve Carell, The Office - This season was definitely the worst in Office history. It was often unfunny and sometimes even painful to watch. But throughout such a sour season, Steve Carell pulled through and continued to give his best as the goofy Michael Scott.

Thomas Jane, Hung - Jane is the Mary-Louise Parker of the men. He's definitely not the funniest, but his more subtle acting style is still enjoyable. The economically-conscious Hung tells the tale of a man who had to become a prostitute in order to support his family and keep his home. Jane made the off-the-wall story a pretty pleasant experience.

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory - Parsons has single-handedly made this show a success. His ridiculously high maintenance Sheldon is what makes The Big Bang Theory so darn funny. Anyone else in the role would just be obnoxious, rather than hysterically obnoxious.

Jason Schwartzman, Bored to Death - I'm not quite sure what it is, but something about Schwartzman made me love Bored to Death. A pot smoking, white wine drinking private detective might not seem too appealing, but the quirky show ended up being a pretty funny half hour.

Adam Scott, Party Down - His dry humor is the perfect balance for the craziness that makes up the rest of the Party Down catering crew. Not only that, but his romance with Lizzy Caplan's Casey became one of the best parts of the series.

Honorable Mention: Jay Harrington, Better Off Ted

Coming Soon: My picks for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Drama Series

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 4 - Nobody Sleeps

Emmy Wish List: Supporting Actor

There are so many different options when it comes to supporting roles. Yet, one show from each respective genre dominates half of these two categories on my ballot. Supporting Actor in a Comedy was without a doubt the hardest list to create (many thanks to the cast of Modern Family, who completely screwed me over by refusing to submit as leads). Great arguments could be made for almost 20 different actors. Ensemble comedies like Modern Family, Parks & Recreation, and Party Down offer several competitors. Chris Colfer (Glee), Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty), and Keir Gilchrist (United States of Tara) all gave touching portrayals of three (very different) gay teens, but I felt they weren't comedic enough to compete against their funnier peers. Then past nominees such as Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Tracy Morgan (30 Rock) got overshadowed by an influx of hilarious newcomers. And my list of contenders doesn't even include the much-praised supporting actors from Community, Cougar Town, and Nurse Jackie (I feel like a broken record at this point)! Unfortunately, the academy only allows six nominees (seven, if there's a tie). Ted Danson (Bored to Death) was definitely the toughest omission from my top six, and I'm still not entirely convinced that I made the right decision. But my list doesn't matter anyway!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series


Aziz Ansari, Parks & Recreation - Ansari's Tom was my favorite part of season one. Season two gave the actors the chance to become more comfortable in their characters' skin, and Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman, as well as a few others, emerged as new comedic delights for the series. Still, Ansari was able to keep up with his costars as the dim-witted, wannabe ladies' man.

Ty Burrell, Modern Family - Phil Dunphy may not be that bright, but Burrell is a brilliant comedic actor. He's the shows most quotable character (which is saying a lot) and also its most lovable. Burrell portrays the dullness so well and plays off of his costars (especially Julie Bowen) excellently.

Nick Offerman, Parks & Recreation - RON EFFING SWANSON! He hates government. He loves breakfast foods. He is hilarious. Ron Swanson was the breakout character of this season, and Offerman has already begun to earn some recognition in the form of a Television Critics Association nomination.

Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family - He may be young, but that doesn't mean he can't be one of the funniest actors on television. Much like Manny (who acts like a 50-year-old man), Rodriguez seems to have the comedic ability of someone three times his age. The child actor deserves to be recognized alongside the older and well-respected comedians.

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family - This straight actor plays probably the most over-the-top flamboyant gay man on television. Yet Cam is real. And he's hilarious. Nobody else could pull it off like Stonestreet, and he consistently inspires the most laughter on Modern Family.

Michael Urie, Ugly Betty - Though he is arguably the least "comedic" of the six, Urie did a fantastic job in his final season as Marc St. James. He had several heart-warming moments connected to Justin's coming out story but still kept the laughs coming with costar Becki Newton.

Honorable Mention: Ted Danson, Bored to Death and Chris Colfer, Glee

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series


Michael Emerson, Lost - Last year, he finally won the Emmy he deserved. This year, he continued his tradition of excellence as the eerie Benjamin Linus. Though this season did not showcase his talent as much as previous seasons have, Emerson still delivered, especially in the always great Ben-centric episodes.

Josh Holloway, Lost - Sawyer is arguably the character who has experienced the most growth throughout the series. He went from an angry con man to the loving head of security to the man who lost the love of his life. He had several strong moments this season (most of which were with the fabulous Elizabeth Mitchell), and the series finale's most emotional scene was his reunion with Juliet.

Terry O'Quinn, Lost - Last season the man of faith transformed into the villain of the entire series. This season, whether he was playing John Locke or the Man in Black/Smoke Monster, O'Quinn gave one of the best performances of the year. The flash-sideways world gave him the opportunity to portray the goodness of Locke against the intense evil of the monster.

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad - Since I just finished watching the first two seasons earlier this summer, I have not yet gotten to see the third (and Emmy-eligible) season of Breaking Bad. But what I have seen is absolute greatness. Paul's Jessie unexpectedly became my favorite character on the show, mainly because of his captivating performance. And from what I've heard, season three just gets better.

Martin Short, Damages - I would never have expected Short to appear on a list of dramatic actors, but his work on the third season of Damages has earned him a spot. The comedian displayed his range as the lawyer opposing Patty Hewes with a story as twisted as the series. Throughout the season his character grew and Short showed great depth as more of that story became exposed.

John Slattery, Mad Men - Roger Sterling gets some of the best lines on the show. But it's not just the writing that makes them so great. Slattery steals every scene and makes it his own. He may not be the show's most dramatic actor, but he fills a necessary role in the series and does it exceptionally well.

Honorable Mention: Michael Cudlitz, Southland and Matthew Rhys, Brothers & Sisters

Coming Soon: My picks for the lead comedy roles

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 1 - Perfect Circles

Emmy Wish List: Supporting Actress

I love my supporting actresses, so making this list proved to be more difficult than I had anticipated. There are several names that it pains me to leave off, but I could not deny the talent that these twelve women possess. My inability to remain interested in Community, Cougar Town, and Nurse Jackie also caused the absence of a few fan favorites (Alison Brie, Busy Phillips, Merritt Wever, etc.). Though the women on this list may not be the leads of their shows, they certainly are the stars that make us laugh and cry the most.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series


Lizzy Caplan, Party Down - Best know for her roles in Mean Girls and True Blood, Caplan does her best work as a struggling comedian working at a catering company. She may not be as over-the-top as her cast mates, but her character is genuine and truly funny. "Party Down Company Picnic" and the season finale stick out as her strongest episodes.

Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock - Krakowski's neurotic, narcissistic Jenna never fails to crack me up. This season had her doing great work with James Franco, Jan Hooks as her mother, and Will Forte as a drag queen. As long as 3o Rock is on the air, Jenna's craziness will always keep me laughing.

Jane Lynch, Glee - Believe it or not, Lynch has been on the scene for quite a while. Her role as the scathing Sue Sylvester has finally made her a household name. Week after week she delivers the show's greatest moments in a single line. I may not particularly enjoy Glee's attempts to humanize Sue, but Lynch's performance perfects the balance of evil and human.

Megan Mullally, Party Down - I recently read a critic's blog that described Mullally's performance on Party Down as the worst on the show. I must say that I strongly disagree. She fit perfectly into the group this season as Jane Lynch's replacement and usually makes me laugh the most each episode. Whether she's sexually pursuing a party guest, accidentally snorting cocaine, or supporting her daughter's acting career, Mullally is constantly hilarious.

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family - This year's funniest new show will be a strong contender in several categories. Vergara wields a thick accent and a great sense of comedic timing. She doesn't let the strong male cast overshadow her, and her talent truly shines.

Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty - Like Sue Sylvester, Williams plays a great villain whose best weapon is the one-liner. In fact, some of Wilhelmina Slater's best moments involve only a simple glare or raise of the eyebrow. An Emmy would be the perfect reward for four years of great work on an amazing television program.

Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds and Aubrey Plaza, Parks & Recreation

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series


Morena Baccarin, V - There's a strong possibility that all of my other picks for this category will earn actual nominations. Unfortunately the same fate is not likely for Baccarin. I chose her because she showed such a great transformation in Anna, the alien queen, as she began to experience human emotion. She exhibits such alien-like qualities that it's hard to believe she's actually human.

Rose Byrne, Damages - Byrne has done a fantastic job for three seasons. She is able to hold her own and showcases herself alongside her talented costar, Glenn Close. Though I believe last season was her strongest, Byrne continued to deliver superb work in what is arguably the lead role on Damages.

Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men - Moving from lead actress to supporting was a smart decision. If she had remained in the lead category, I most likely would not have included Moss in my list. Though seasons one and two focused quite a big on Peggy and her journey through the ad agency, the fantastic third season centered around the Draper family as it fell apart. Moss executed her supporting role exceptionally well and continued to perform excellently in scenes with Jon Hamm and the other men.

Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy - The series has certainly dwindled in quality, but Oh's talent keeps increasing. This season was her strongest yet as she delivered episode after episode the most consistent performance on the show. It's stunning that despite being nominated for every season of Grey's, she has never actually won an Emmy.

Chloë Sevigny, Big Love - Say what you want about the fourth season of Big Love, but it's still one of best-acted dramas on television. It's strength lies with its women. Though Ginnifer Goodwin continues to give an excellent performance each year, Sevigny pulled through this rougher season as the star. She took Nicki, my least favorite of Bill's three wives, and made made her my favorite character of the entire series.

Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy - Originally Oh was the only Grey's actress to earn a spot on my ballot. After the intense two hour season finale, it was impossible to omit Wilson. For years, she has given one of the best performances on the show. In that finale she gave the performance of her lifetime as the strong and secure Dr. Baily that we all know and love quaked in fear from a shooter and watched one of her doctors die.

Honorable Mention: Mae Whitman, Parenthood & Amy Brenneman, Private Practice

Coming Soon: My picks for Outstanding Supporting Actors

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 1
Episode 8 - Crossroads

Emmy Wish List: Guest Acting

The Guest Acting categories contain a vast number of possibilities. The comedy ones were especially hard to narrow down to six, but I eventually made a final list. It's difficult to compare one-episode performances to multi-episode arcs, but certain actors leave a greater impression in a single episode than others make in an entire season. Though stunt casting is often criticized, several of the big names are the best in their respective categories. Again, obviously I can't watch everything on television (though I certainly try) so I apologize for any significant omissions.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

James Franco, 30 Rock - He may have been playing himself (sort of), but that doesn't mean he wasn't hilarious! Making fun of yourself is always funny, especially when you squint a lot and have an affair with a Japanese pillow.

Steve Guttenberg, Party Down - Interestingly enough, two actors made it into this category playing caricatures of themselves. Guttenberg was less over the top than Franco but starred in perhaps the funniest episode of Party Down to date.

Neil Patrick Harris, Glee (Bryan Ryan) - The Broadway star strutted his stuff on the hot musical show and performed an excellent rendition of Aerosmith's "Dream On." Thanks to NPH, the episode stands out as one of the best among the season's weaker (in my opinion) second half. His nomination here also makes up for his likely omission from a future Emmy Wish List of mine...

Rob Lowe, Parks & Recreation (Chris Traeger) - Most critics have been praising Adam Scott's guest appearance on Parks, but Rob Lowe is (surprisingly) the funnier of the two. It's refreshing to see him move on from his dramatic work on Brothers & Sisters to something much more enjoyable.

Mike O'Malley, Glee (Burt Hummel) - If it were up to me, I would give him the Emmy right now. His work with Chris Colfer is phenomenal. The only thing working against him is his largely dramatic role forced into a comedic category.

Fred Willard, Modern Family (Frank Dunphy) - The casting here was spot on. His chemistry with Ty Burrell was perfect. Let's hope there's plenty more Willard in Modern Family's future.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series


Christine Baranski, The Big Bang Theory (Beverly Hofstadter) - Playing Leonard's Sheldon-like genius mother was enough to earn Baranski a nomination last year. This year Leonard's Sheldon-like genius mother got drunk.

Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock (Avery Jessup) - All I can say is I hope this season's finale means that Banks will be staying around 3o Rock for a while. I understand that she has a movie career to attend to, but her role as Jack's lover, the right wing political pundit, may be her best yet.

Kristin Chenoweth, Glee (April Rhodes) - Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth (I love saying that) gave yet another Emmy-worthy performance in her first episode of Glee as the washed up ex-show choir star. From boxed wine to Broadway show tunes, her guest appearance was the funniest of the entire season.

Jan Hooks, 3o Rock (Verna Maroney) - For years Elaine Stritch has been the go-to 3o Rock mother for guest actress nominations, but this year we were introduced to Jenna's mother. After a duet with Jenna and a pair of lopsided boobs, I'm ready for Hooks to take her place.

Megan Mullally, Parks & Recreation (Tammy Swanson) - Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally used their off-screen marriage to create onscreen chemistry as ex- husband and wife on Parks. Her evil librarian paired with his deadpan anti-government government official provided great comedy in the show's hilarious second season.

Betty White, Saturday Night Live - The woman can't be stopped. She hosted the best episode SNL has seen in years. Sure, it was also thanks to return of several SNL favorites, but it wouldn't have been possible without Betty White.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series


Henry Ian Cusick, Lost (Desmond Hume) - Desmond is the heart of Lost, there's no doubt about it. In its final season, he brought the castaways together in the flash-sideways world, causing them to remember their previous lives on The Island. Without him, many of the season's greatest scenes would not have been possible.

Ted Danson, Damages (Arthur Frobisher) - Danson has been pretty consistent with the quality he delivers on Damages. When the drama needs comic relief, he can provide it, but when his role demands intensity, he performs just as well.

Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights (Matt Saracen) - Two words: "The Son." I never expected Gilford to move me in one episode as much as Connie Britton has for three seasons. The man made me cry three times in 45 minutes. He needs an Emmy. Now. There's even a Facebook group.

Jared Harris and Robert Morse, Mad Men (Lane Pryce and Bert Cooper) - I'm lumping the two of them together because I don't really have much to say about either, except that they are great parts of Mad Men's excellent ensemble (it's been almost a year since I saw the third season, so give me a break). Morse's old Cooper keeps me laughing, while it was interesting to see the British Pryce fit into the American world of Sterling Cooper.

John Lithgow, Dexter - Unfortunately, I have not yet gotten to see the fourth season of Dexter. So Lithgow is here out of obligation (and a lack of other strong contenders, which could also be due to unfinished viewings of other series, such as Breaking Bad). He will most likely win the Emmy, so I would feel foolish to leave the much buzzed-about performance off of my list.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Allison Janney, Lost (Mother) - A divisive performance in a controversial episode. I'm on team "'Across the Sea' Was Amazing." I'm also on team "I Love Allison Janney No Matter What She Does." Many argue that the episode relied on Janney's stunt casting, but her portrayal of the mother of the good and evil of The Island was fantastic.

Elizabeth Mitchell, Lost (Juliet Burke) - Her reconnection with Sawyer in the series finale is one of my favorite scenes in the series. Her destruction of the bomb in the season five finale (which was thankfully replayed several times this season) is also one of the best. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Mitchell was overlooked last year as a Supporting Actress, so hopefully that won't happen again this year (unlikely).

Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men (Sally Draper) - Yes, I'm 100% serious. Go back and watch the episode when Gene dies and tell me she doesn't deserve a spot on this list. I dare you.

Sissy Spacek, Big Love (Marilyn Densham) - The Oscar-winner lent her talents to the polygamy drama as the woman who fought against Bill's campaign and casino. Though season four may not be the show's best, Spacek played an excellent villainess for the Henrickson clan.

Lily Tomlin, Damages (Marilyn Tobin) - Damages has great guest stars involved in its season-long mysteries. Lily Tomlin was no exception as the mother who would do anything to protect her family. Anything.

Evan Rachel Wood, True Blood (Sophie-Anne) - "Yahtzee!" The vampire queen of Louisiana will most likely be my only nomination for the series (which I believe is extremely melodramatic and over-acted... but highly addicting), but that's because in just two small appearances she quickly became one of my favorite characters on the show. I can't wait for more Sophie-Anne in season three.

Coming Soon: My picks for Outstanding Supporting Actresses

Currently watching:
Breaking Bad Season 2
Episode 8 - Better Call Saul

Emmy Wish List: Writing

This is the first year that I've actually taken a close look at the Emmy submissions for writing, and it's interesting to see what epsiodes different shows submit for consideration. For example, Big Love submitted "Blood Atonement," the controversial Mexico episode that was the most prominent example of the show's weakness in its fourth season. Then The Office throws out "Scott's Tots" for consideration, which, in my opinion, may be the worst episode the series has ever aired. When selecting my favorites for the two categories, it pretty much came down to the episodes this TV season that stuck out in my mind the most. Unfortunately, a competitive comedy writing category prevented more than one episode of 3o Rock from making my list, but the one that did make the cut is certainly a standout even among a great season. The comedic strength this year also did not allow better episodes of The Big Bang Theory ("The Adhesive Duck Deficiency") and How I Met Your Mother ("The Playbook") to enter the category, because they come from weaker seasons that were unable to measure up to more powerful newcomers. My only regret is that there was no room for The United States of Tara's "Torando" or an episode from the hilarious second season of Parks & Recreation on my list. Also, it should be noted that I have not seen the fourth seasons of Dexter and Friday Night Lights or the third season of Breaking Bad, hence their absence from this list.

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Glee, "Pilot" (Ryan Murhpy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan) - Glee has had its ups and downs in its first season, but it started off on the right foot. The pilot episode revealed the heart of the show, entertained us with exciting musical numbers, and introduced us to Sue Sylvester. Only a few episodes have been able to surpass the quality of the very first.

Modern Family, "Pilot" (Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd) - It was either this or "Fizbo." I decided on the pilot episode because I've seen it at least three times, and I still laugh in all the right places. From the very beginning Modern Family has proven that it's just as funny (if not funnier) than comedy champs 30 Rock and The Office.

The Office, "Niagara" (Greg Daniels, Mindy Kaling) - I'm not just including this episode because I would love to hear the phrase "Emmy winner Mindy Kaling" in more than just my dreams. The hour-long wedding episode was the one highlight from the worst season The Office has ever endured. This great episode reminds us of everything we love about this show, even though it was part of such a poor season.

30 Rock, "Anna Howard Shaw Day" (Matt Hubbard) - I almost included the Tina Fey-penned "Lee Marvin Vs. Derek Jeter" but decided that although I have an undying love for Tina, this was a funnier episode. This Valentine's Day special had me laughing from beginning to end and sticks out as one of my favorite 30 Rock episodes of all time.

Ugly Betty, "Hello Goodbye" (Silvio Horta) - This is probably the only atypical spot on my ballot. All of the other episodes/series have a chance of getting noticed, while Ugly Betty will go unrewarded. Unfortunately, the series finale ("Hello Goodbye") was not even the creatively resurged fourth season's strongest episode, but I would still consider it one of the best. It tied together several dangling plot lines and the brought forth the laughter and emotions that one can expect from Betty. Afterward I felt emotionally satisfied but realized I was going to miss this show very much.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Damages, "The Next One's Gonna Go In Your Throat" (Todd Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman) - Damages finales are usually the best episode of the season, and the third season was no exception. As always, the future and present stories came together and solved the mysteries with several shocking twists along the way. The fact that this may be the last episode of Damages ever is upsetting, but at least the series went out with a bang.

Grey's Anatomy, "Sanctuary" (Shonda Rhimes) - No matter how much any given season of Grey's Anatomy disappoints its viewers, Shonda Rhimes never fails to deliver on her finales. This finale especially. It was probably the most intense two hours of my life; I sat on the edge of my seat and was shaking the entire time as many characters' lives hung in the balance. Definitely the best finale of the year that had everyone (even non-Grey's viewers) talking.

Lost, "The Substitute" (Elizabeth Sarnoff, Melinda Hsu Taylor) - The series finale was too divisive to make my list. Though it delivered emotionally, "The End" lacked several mythological details that fans desired. Instead, I included "The Substitute," which was probably my favorite episode of the show's final season. Locke-centric episodes ("Walkabout" for example) are always among the strongest in any season. This episode revealed the secret behind The Numbers and showed an interesting juxtaposition of the on-island and off-island forms of John Locke.

Mad Men, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat." (Matthew Weiner, Erin Levy) - Mad Men is the only series to earn multiple spots on my list, and it's deservedly so. The third season surpassed all high expectations and produced one of the strongest dramatic seasons I have ever seen. All the drama came to a head in the season finale when Betty left Don, and Don created his own advertising agency. It left us all wanting more and eagerly anticipating season four.

Mad Men, "The Gypsy and the Hobo" (Marti Noxon, Cathryn Humphris, Matthew Weiner) - Without a doubt, this was the best episode of the season. Jon Hamm and January Jones delivered the performances of their lifetimes. And of course there was the infamous incident of Joan and the vase...

Coming Soon: My picks for the Guest Acting categories

Currently watching:
Breaking Bad Season 1
Episode 4 - Cancer Man